Things to Do in Rwenzori Mountains National Park

Rwenzori Mountains National Park forces Africa's most serious hikers to earn their views through some of the continent's toughest terrain. These legendary 'Mountains of the Moon' rise from Uganda's western Rift Valley, with Africa's third-highest peak, Margherita Peak on Mount Stanley, dominating a landscape of glaciated summits and alien-looking giant plants. The real draw isn't just altitude—it's watching ecosystems flip from tropical rainforest to alpine desert as you climb through vegetation zones that seem borrowed from another planet. Serious hikers only. This isn't somewhere you can sample properly in a day trip, and the weather will test your resolve with unpredictable mist and rain throughout most of the year. When clouds clear, the views justify every muddy step, but you'll need decent fitness and proper gear to handle terrain that stays challenging even on good days. Standing among those otherworldly giant lobelias with snow-capped peaks overhead delivers a sense of accomplishment you won't find elsewhere in Africa.

Food stays basic but filling. Lodges and guesthouses near park headquarters serve matoke (steamed bananas), rice, and simple meat or vegetable stews designed for hungry hikers rather than food ensoiasts. Multi-day trek meals come with your package, prepared by trekking crews using local ingredients mixed with pasta and canned goods that travel well. Kasese town has a few more options including basic restaurants with Indian-influenced dishes, though fresh ingredients depend on road conditions and season.

December through February and June through August offer the best weather window—relatively less mud and higher chances of clear skies. 'Dry season' means little here since this ranks among Africa's wettest mountain ranges, so expect rain, mist, and mud regardless of timing. Wet seasons (March-May and September-November) bring heavier rainfall and tougher trail conditions but also lush vegetation, fewer crowds, and lower accommodation rates. Higher elevations create their own weather patterns—snow or hail can hit even when conditions look clear at base level.